[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO PHILANTHROPIST ALEX MANOOGIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 1996

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of 
Armenian philanthropist Alex Manoogian. After a long and prosperous 
life, Mr. Manoogian passed away July 10, at the age of 95.
  Mr. Manoogian was born in 1901 and came to the United States at the 
age of 24, after completing his primary and secondary education. 
Manoogian relocated to Bridgeport, CT, and sought employment in a 
factory during the day, while he taught Armenian classes during the 
evenings.
  Eventually, Mr. Manoogian made Detroit his home in 1924. He worked in 
a manufacturing plant, and eventually combined his formal education and 
his work experience to found his own company which became the MASCO 
Corp., the first company owned by an Armenian to be listed on the 
American Stock Exchange. Today his company reports annual sales of over 
$3 billion.
  In addition to his company, Manoogian was active in many 
philanthropic and service organizations. He will probably be most 
remembered for the work he did for the Armenia General Benevolent Union 
[AGBU]. After joining the organization in the 1930's, he served the 
AGBU in numerous capacities including the Avak Sbarabed (national 
commander), as a member of the board of directors, and international 
president. Manoogian served as international president for 17 years and 
was voted life president in 1970 and in 1989, was voted as honorary 
life president when his daughter assumed presidential duties.
  On an International level, Manoogian has also contributed to a wide 
array of Armenian, American, Dutch, Latin American, Australian and 
Lebanese museums, schools, libraries, hospitals, and universities. 
Although there is an exhaustive list, just a few include: the Marie 
Manoogian School in Los Angeles, the Armenian Church in Amsterdam, 
Holland and the Alex Manoogian Center in Zaleh, Lebanon. He is the 
recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Wayne University in 
Detroit, American Armenian International College in La Verne, Lawrence 
Technological University in Southfield, MI, and Yerev State University 
in Armenia.
  Alex Manoogian possessed the determination, drive, and ingenuity, our 
forefathers founded this country on, over 200 years ago. I wish today 
to extent my sympathies to the Manoogian family and the Armenian 
community worldwide on the passing of a wonderful leader.

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